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    THE MILITIA APOLOGY. The Ministerial mea...

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    WHERE IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH, 'TIS FOLLY ...

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    The Gold Panic In Australia. England " P...

    tioh is not more than one-fiftieth of the British isles which , geographically , are a mere outlying SSp ^ f t he Cogent . Steanx navigation is SSly hrmging that fine region closer to this Sry- Tie promts are . peculiariy rich and varied . ' In some parts , as in South Australia , bread-stuffs of the very finest quality can be produced to an almost unlimited extent ; iron , lead , arid copper abound ; the pastures are excellent , and already feed numbers of cattle and sheep . In Nevr South Wales , there is boundless pasturagevaluable and wide-spread forest timber ,

    , and productive coal-mines ; and to the same resources the newly-detached province of Victoria adds admirable whaling grounds . Extensive tracts in all parts of the Continent are excellently adapted to the olive and the vine ; cotton . and silk are destined to be among the products of the region . And all these most valuable productsthe most valuable that the human race can desireare obtained with a facility that reduces the cost of production to a minimum . The coal is near the surface ; the copper is nearer to purity * than

    the ore anywhere else ; the wheat attains its most perfect type ; the wool grows to the finest staple with , a minimum of attendance ; the direct necessaries of life , of the finest quality , the riiw materials for the great staples of industry , the staples of trade , are produced with an ease next door to spontaneous growth . The taint of convietism has been arrested ; some development has been given to free institutions ; steam places

    the colony in easy , eertain , and regular communication with the mother country . In the midst of all this prosperity , something happens which threatens it all with social dissolution . Gold is discovered in all quarters—to the East , in immense abundance , and in the most accessible form . In other words , a concentrated form of native wealth is founded , to be added to the natural resources of the colony ; and its . discreet men

    are alarmed ! And well they may ; but why ? Because neither the government pf the colony , nor the © economical laws which have regulated society , suffice to maintain moral or even industrial discipline . The intelligent landowners and merchants who are dismayed at the aspect of affairs

    on the discovery of the gold , do not share our views as to the coconomical defects of their system —they will have to learn their lessons roughly ; but they are eminentl y alive to the tactics of the Government . Tho bait of gold is too great for the labouring classes to resist it . True , that all enduring wealth must lie in developing the grand staples that support life ; but a sudden gain is the bait of baits for the uneducated mind , in

    whatever class of society ; and the labouring people of all kinds desert to tho gold beds—fieldlabourers , artisans , domestic servants , stockkeepers , ploughmen , bakers , butchers , ostlersall are off ; capital sits at homo , deserted and dismayed . The sheep-owner anticipates a short " clip , " tho shipper a short cargo ; the landowner sees his field neglected , the tradesman is left alone in his shop . And under these circumstances , what does Government doP In New South Wales , Sir Charles Fitzroy grants " H-

    conces" to the gold-finders at low prices—almost inoiting tho labouring population to abandon real industry for tho base and unsound gambling of gold-finding . And while , at one end of tho train , Sir Charles is thus facilitating the draft of labour from its avocations , at tho other end , tho Government in London is withholding tho supply of emigrants , although it has in hand largo sums of Australian money for that very purpose ! Capital has not , as yet , made common cause with Labour in any part of tho world , though it has talked of doing so . If it had , we should not soo akillod labour dosorting a groat established trade in our own country , and threatening

    acceptance of invitations to follow that trade to a rival country ; nor Labour deserting tho great staples of Australia , % o follow tho vagabond trade of goldpicking . Nor if Governments understood tho negative character of Froo Trade , with , tho true character of its necessary and positivo adjunct , concert , would they bo so helpless to control and temper the social aberrations either of Capital or Labour . In England , in doing what they like with thoir own , tho masters claim tho inhuman right , tho most wrongous right , to disregard tho health , comfort , and wel faro of thoir indispensable helpmates , the working men . In tho colony , tho labourers claim tho right to abandon the needful duties for supplying food and raiment , and

    materials for industry . Both ; acts are great , social transgressions . But who teaches Dgtgeri save contemned , misunderstood , calumniated / ' Socialists ; " what Government offers to be the guide , m ediator , and mutual regulatdrP Were mdustry ' placed pn an equality with Capital -la ^ tun country—as " free" to trade in its own wealth , as free to combine for its own interests , as much protected in its operations , —it would notborunning away from the best trade in the land . Were the managers of society alive to the force of concert , morally and ceconomically , they would not

    be slow to take possession of the gold beds ^ by industrial armies , controlled bythe State , but having a share both , in their own discipline . and in the wealth which they should wort out . Such an organization would solve the whole difficulty of these gold beds , —that social panic at the discovery of concentrated Wealth !

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    The Militia Apology. The Ministerial Mea...

    THE MILITIA APOLOGY . The Ministerial measure for calling out the militia is a half evasion of a great public duty , and more than one partyis prepared to help Ministers in the evasion . The public and the press are agreed ; they are opposed by Ministers and divers of the "Liberal" members in Parliament . The public dislikes Louis Napoleon , without fearing suspects him * and is resolved to be prepared against any vagary of his secret and selfish councils } to which end it desires a , national preparation . Ministers wholly differ ; and accordingly , though yielding to the pressure from without , they accept the necessity of " doing something" in the matter of national defences , as they did in the ease of the papal aggression , Imt their Premier does not adopt it with that hearty appropriation which distinguished his personal share in that agitation , and accordingly his measure has not , even in appearance , the dash and audacity of his Ecclesiastical Titles Bill . The clerical bill , was a . truly inspiriting counterblast , hounding on Protestantism tc ^ a rancorous triumph , firing though it did not daunt Cath o licism with the threat of subjugation ; but these

    military measures are of the true milk-and-water quality . The reason is , that Lord John hates and fears the Pope , but has no alarm at Louis Napoleon ; on the contrary , rather likes him than otherwise , and thinks that he is doing the best he can for his country . So against " an old man sitting on a Semitic throne , " among the ruins of the Seven Hills , Lord John rouses the whole country ; but against the author of the coup-d'e ' tat whiph seized France in a night , he will rouse eighty thousand young men this year , and a few more next , and , some day in the summer , will give them a fortnight's or a month ' s drill .

    The public estimates the chances differently . Louis Napoleon has already incroaclied upon tho independent action of Switzerland ; his ambassador has withdrawn from that country j ho talks of a joint occupation with Austria and tile Swiss Government will probably make a formal appeal to its ally , Great Britain . Belgium , too , warned by menacing Jiin ^ s , and conscious of internal intrigues fomented by Franco ; is preparing for self-defence , and will probably appeal to her ally , Great Britain . Tho interpretation which

    wo put on Louis Napoleon ' s assurances of pacific intentions towards England has been sharod in Paris , and statesmen not altogether Opposed to the present Government , have expressed great anxiety at the possible declaration of war . No one can count upon tho acts of a man without scruple , without even tho responsibilities of genius . Tho English public feels as much , and desires itself to bo prepared for any event . It is proportionately dissatisfied with tho fractional moasuro laid before it .

    It is not less surprised at tho course taken by certain of tho Liberal members . Mr . Ilumo objects to violating tho division of employments , and would rathor Wofor an increase of tho rogular forces . Mr . Cobdon would also rathor have naoro soldiers , and would pay thorn liborally ! Tho groat financial rciformors aro for ah ' increase of tho , standing army ! Tho groat advocates of

    liberty are for increaso of tho standing army Mr . llume would have us keep the peaoo by holding our tongues , and not offending tho Prince President . Mr . Cobdon relics on tho " honour " of French Generals , at tho head of whom now stands that ^ onoral , St . Arnaud . noLoroy , of whom wo gave a biographical skotoh last week ! Now , tb . 080 two members are dead against tho public :

    tie p ^ tfc dpes ^ t- ^ j / 6 n ^ . ^ Qj ^ onc © jtoffiq ^ who , took an active part m the ^ lood y ^ cp ^^ apd treacherous ooup-d' 4 tat of © ece ' m ] ber % § does not consent , tp ; hoj $ its tongue j ft does Jot desire to increjase the staiiding ; army > . On the contrary , it regards aitanjiuTg army as the ^ t dangerous instrument of Oppression ;; \ it regards ' ti ^^^^ xc ^ ti ^ qL . fl ^ . ilLaLt . ip i ^ a ^^^ tT T'J ^ ixiee - ? # iihe * ' £ xst step towards financial reform ; , Reduce the staittdjng army , / nationalize the defence of the country ,- —that is the pry tuat meets . with ' instant response in all quarters , , t ; , . . '

    The official ; militia scheme offers no means ojf satisfying tUat want . It includes pfn . incredfieto the standing army . . It will rx this subject by ^ laibr-General Sir

    Cileries J " ames Napier ^ wjueh . Mr ..-Mpicon lias just ; published . Napier , the Pappei ^ eim of Wellington , ; is the ' . last pf puj : ; Generals who' was in great and extensive , actions ; lie it wa ^ whom \ V" | liingtpii is said to kaye , forced to retrieve tie honour , of Knglisli ayins ijj Np ^ th ^ western India , by the . threat tuat otherwise the more , aged hero would go himself . ' . . . He wriLtes . as he fightsstraight to the purpose * , .... He insists that the practice of the irregulars sjipul f lbe " constant : " the jiinisterial plan qantemplates a practice of a fortnight , or four weeks ! In . short , Ministers want to satisfy the public by giving tEem an

    imperfect ; addition to the standing army ; the public , wants to be rendered able to do with a smaller standing army . . The Times truly reflects public opinion , when it calb iorl &> general training of ^ he , people , in a way less cumbersome and trouDlespme , tbf » . n , ! ) a yjpgular military discipline , more suited to fall in witli & q j generaj habits of the people , and therefore to , Tie popular . Sir Charles Napier is of the , same opinion : he is strong upon the point that irarogulare / ought not to attempt to learn too much . The Government behaves as it might , if it wished to revive the old dislike of the militia ; and many of its provisions

    are obviously actuated by the desu'e io prevent a truly national training , perhaps from that timorous jealousy which betrays itself in the total exclusion of Ireland from the measure . Ireland is treated as an alien , a distrusted neighbour , an enemy , Is that politic P But there is no audacity like that ot timidity and vacillation . Ministers are afraid really to .- 'trust any part pi the country ; and while they remain in oflice , wo are not likoly ' to obtain a satisfactory measure . Meanwhile , as in the case of their Reform Bill , wo Avelcomo what they offer , as a recognition ot the public want which they hesitate to satisfy ,--as a beginning of the work that has to be finished , we hope , by others .

    Where Ignorance Is Strength, 'Tis Folly ...

    WHERE IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH , 'TIS FOLLY TO HE WISE . Whjsn sorvants hayo boon long in a family , thoy become rather careless ; glass and crockory dlB Py all their frailty , milk and dainties go a very littio way , and tho roputation of " the cat" sutlers terribly . " The eat" grows omnivorous—he ' devours milk , cold moat , pastry , coals , wine , candles , stray ponoil-eases , rings , silk stockings , g loves , borthea , and objects of vertn ; ho " will not go homo till morning , " and he claims a vested mtorcstin tho keeping up of tho establishment wjw » duo profusion . Cabinets have improved on tnw domestic functionary ; not only the entire staii , but each department has its cat . Ministers uay « their subordinato follow champions , Vvlio tiiko i tho kicks , Avliilo tho chiefs take the } w ] l'V 01 X " and tho glory . And it is wondorful lww . " '" practice is roducod to system . A real wi "" novor knows anything about any thing . > vij ^ may go amisa . ' Jfe has never boon nogie <^ of Iuh duty , but " tlie cat" hus done it ; " ^ Lord Grey , for instance , 1 ms spent hiei nig' ^ in preparing all tho succosscs in tho uai » Good Hoiio "; but if anything wont wrong , it- « poor Sir Hurry Smith that did it . ^ prd < W was watchful , prescient , decisivo ; but ° ir / "J a more bi ' ayo man , did not keep him uuori "

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 21, 1852, page 14, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_21021852/page/14/